Fluid well pumping system

ABSTRACT

A fluid pumping system includes a number of stages. Each stage has a fluid chamber having a top end with an air aperture and a bottom end with a fluid apertures. An air line is connected to the air aperture, and a fluid input conduit, with an input check valve, is connected to the fluid aperture. A float valve is disposed in the chamber directly between the fluid aperture and the air aperture. A fluid output conduit is connected to the fluid aperture above the input check valve. The float has a bottom end adapted to seal with the fluid aperture when the chamber is empty. A first set of pumping stages are supplied by a first compressed air line and a second set of pumping stages are supplied by a second compressed air line. Periodically, compressed air is supplied to a first set of pump stages to drive fluid from each of the first set of pump stages to a second set of stages, and vice versa. This cycle is repeated with the fluid alternating between the first and second sets of pumping stages until the fluid is recovered at a collection point. The compressed air can be cycled from one set of stages to the other based on time, a sensed activity in the well, a sensed volume of fluid being stored, a sensed air flow and/or any combination of the above. Additionally, a dual chamber mode of the invention is described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/640,926, now pending, which is adivisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/095,963,now abandoned, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional systems are known for removing fluid such as wateror oil from wells where there is an abundant supply of fluid, however,in shallow locations or locations with a low production volume, thesesystems may not be cost justified. For example, in oil formations500-1000 feet deep which only produce a few barrels of oil per day,multiple oil wells are often situated close together. Equipment andmaintenance costs are often economically prohibitive in these shallowwells.

[0003] Furthermore, due to pressure, chemical conditions, and sand andgrit in most oil wells the equipment is subject to high breakdown ratesand requires frequent maintenance, repair or replacement. Consequently,particularly for a shallow, low production situations, there is a needfor inexpensive, low maintenance pumping systems. Prior approaches tothis type of pumping system have involved complex controls, sensors andelectronics normally lowered into the well. This results in excesscomplexity, cost and maintenance.

[0004] One approach to a pumping system is shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,653,989 issued to Mason. Mason shows a series of pneumaticdisplacement chambers connected to an air compressor at the surface ofthe well, by a single air line. Each chamber is connected to the airline through a motorized valve. A float including a disk shaped magnet,rides up and down in each displacement chamber. When fluid fills thechamber, the float approaches the top and the magnet is detected by asensor which causes the control system to open the motorized valveconnecting the chamber to the air line. Once the motorized valve isopen, compressed air forces the fluid into the next chamber, oralternatively, into a holding tank on the surface. As the floatapproaches the bottom of the chamber, the magnet is detected by a sensorwhich causes the control system to close the motorized valve connectingthe chamber to the air line. The Mason patent additionally teaches thatthe float be provided with flutes between its lower surface and theinternal surface of the chamber to avoid the possibility of the floatbeing used as a valve. The design of the Mason patent is costly andcomplex, requiring a magnetic sensor system located down hole and amotorized valve in connection with each chamber of the well pump, inaddition to other shortcomings.

[0005] Another well pump is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,854 to Herefordet al. The Hereford patent shows a well pump including chambers that arecostly and complex, among other disadvantages.

[0006] Consequently, there remains a need for a simple, efficient, lowcost, low maintenance pumping system with a minimum of electroniccomponents and complexity. The present inventions address these needs.

SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide an improved fluidpumping system.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple,efficient, low-cost, low-maintenance pumping system.

[0009] Further objects, features and advantages of the presentinventions shall become apparent from the detailed drawings anddescriptions provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view of multiple pumping stagesaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of one embodiment of theinvention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of a fluid chamber and floataccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 4A is a cut-away view of a fluid chamber with a float whenthe chamber is empty according to a embodiment of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 4B is a cut-away view of a fluid chamber with a float whenthe chamber is full according to a embodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the present inventions.

[0017]FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show alternate embodiments of floats in afluid chamber according to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control unit for use with oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control unit.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control unit.

[0022]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, andfurther applications of the principles of the invention beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

[0024] Fluid pumping systems according to the present inventions provideimproved, low cost, efficient and low maintenance pumping systems forobtaining fluid from a source. It is envisioned that the systems will beused for removing water or oil from shallow wells, but the invention hasapplication for raising any fluids as needed above ground. In connectionwith the embodiments below, raising oil from shallow oil wells will beparticularly discussed.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a multi-stage pumping system 10 islocated in well 11 having a fluid level 15. Although the presentinventions will work with any number of stages, the embodiment of FIG. 1is shown as having at least four stages. FIG. 2 is a partial cut-awayview of multiple pumping stages of one implementation of FIG. 1.

[0026] First pumping stage 20 is located below fluid level 15. A filter,packing material or other type of strainer 12 is located at the lowestinput point for the fluid and is attached to fluid input conduit 13.Fluid input conduit 13 includes check valve 21 and feeds into fluidchamber 22. Fluid chamber 22 has top end 26 with an air aperture andbottom end 25 with a fluid aperture. Float 24 is within fluid chamber22. First compressed gas line 16 is coupled to an aperture at the topend 26 of chamber 22. Although, the present invention is described usingcompressed air, this is not meant to be limiting, as it is intended thatthe system could be used with compressed air or some other compressedgas, i.e. natural gas. Fluid output conduit 23 is connected to the fluidaperture above check valve 21 and forms the fluid input conduit forsecond stage 30. Output check valves 29 and 31 are located in fluidoutput conduit 23. One reason for using two check valves is to reducethe pressure in the output conduit 23 when filled with fluid. In somecases of low pressure shallow wells, it may be possible to omit one ofcheck valves 29 and 31.

[0027] Second pumping stage 30 is substantially similar to first stage20 of FIG. 1, and is located above first stage 20, closer to groundlevel. Usually there is about 200-300 feet between pumping stages, and200-300 feet between the final pumping stage and the holding tank. Fluidoutput conduit 23 from first stage 20 serves as the fluid input conduitfor pumping stage 30. Second stage fluid chamber 32 has top end 36 withan air aperture, bottom end 35 with a fluid aperture, and contains float34. Second compressed air line 18 is coupled to the air aperture at topend 36 of fluid chamber 32. Fluid output conduit 33 includes outputvalve 39 and serves as the fluid input conduit for third pumping stage40, if such a third stage is desired.

[0028] Pumping stage 40 is substantially similar to first pumping stage20 and is connected to first compressed air line 16. As needed, a firstset of essentially identical pumping stages (first, third, fifth, etc.)are connected to compressed air line 16. A second set of similar pumpingstages (second, fourth, sixth, etc.) are connected to compressed airline 18. The final fluid output conduit 53, shown exiting an optionalpumping stage 50, leads to storage tank 60 or a similar collectionpoint. Control unit 70 including a compressor and control circuitry isused to supply compressed air to first compressed air line 16 and secondair line 18. FIGS. 8-11 are block diagrams of some of the control unitswhich may be used as control unit 70 of FIG. 1. Any of the control unitsof FIGS. 8-11 may be used as the control unit 70 of FIG. 1.

[0029] More specifically, FIG. 8 shows in block diagram form the controlunit 70 of one embodiment of the present inventions. A compressor 72provides a compressed gas, such as air or natural gas to compressed gasline or air line 18 via a valve 76. Similarly, compressor 72 provides acompressed gas to compressed gas line or air line 16 via a valve 78.Valves 76 and 78 are three-way valves, such that when valves 76 and 78are turned off (de-energized), air lines 18 and 16, respectively, areexhausted to atmosphere through an exhaust port of each valve.Conversely, when valves 76 and 78 are turned on (energized), thecompressed gas from the compressor is provided to air lines 18 and 16,respectively. This configuration permits displaced air from a fillingchamber to be vented to atmosphere.

[0030] However, the above described use of three-way valves is not meantto be limiting. Alternately, valves 76 and 78 may be conventionaltwo-way valves, and additional two way valves (not shown) may beprovided in fluid communication with each of air lines 16 and 18,connected in parallel with valves 78 and 76, respectively. As such, whennot pressurized, lines 16 and 18 may be vented through the additionalvalves. The additional valves would likewise be controlled by controller74. Additionally, instead of providing the additional venting valves incommunication with air lines 16 and 18, additional venting lines can beprovided to each chamber, which would then be in communication with theadditional venting valves for the purpose of permitting air displacedfrom those chambers while filling to be vented to atmosphere.

[0031] A controller 74, receives an input from a timer 73 and, pursuantto the timer input, toggles the valve configuration to alternately cyclevalves 76 and 78 open and closed. Controller 74 may include therein amicroprocessor programmed to alternately cycle valves 76 and 78 open andclosed, or it may include conventional logic circuitry for accomplishingthe same function. In one embodiment of the present invention,controller 74 includes conventional relay logic to control the valves.It is additionally possible to use a programmable logic controller (PLC)as part of the controller 74 as an alternative to conventional relaylogic. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the timer 73 (which may be aseparate timer, or may be integrated into a PLC or into microprocessorfunctionality included in the controller, as desired) is set to optimizethe pumping cycle so that the first stage is filled or nearly filledprior to compressed air being provided to that stage.

[0032] Optionally, controller 74 may provide be a dwell time after eachpumping cycle, wherein both valves 76 and 78 are turned off, and nocompressed gas is being provided to either air line 18 or air line 16,and consequently, to no pumping stage of the system. In the presentinventions, further efficiency can be gained by substantially equalizingthe pressure in the two air lines, during the period of dwell time. Thisis accomplished by connecting the exhaust port of valve 76 to theexhaust port of valve 78 during the dwell time. As shown in FIG. 8, agas save valve 200 is optionally provided as part of the exhaust systemof the control unit 70. Gas save valve 200 is additionally controlled bythe controller 74. The exhaust ports of valves 76 and 78 are connectedin a “T” configuration to the input of the gas save valve 200. Theoutput of the gas save valve 200 is vented to atmosphere.

[0033] At appropriate intervals after a pumping cycle, which mayadditionally be determined from timing signals from the timer 73, thegas save valve 200 is closed. Simultaneously, which ever valve of 76 and78 that had been turned on, thus providing compressed gas to the pumpsystem, is additionally turned off. This permits the air lines 16 and 18to be vented to each other, through their exhaust ports, substantiallyequalizing the pressure in the two air lines. At the completion of thedwell time period, or after it has been detected that the pressure inthe two air lines is substantially equalized, the controller 74 againopens the valve 200 to atmosphere, and simultaneously turns on theappropriate valve 76 or 78 for the next pumping cycle.

[0034] For example, during a pumping cycle compressed air is providedthrough valve 78, which is turned on, to air line 16, and thus to afirst set of chambers (i.e., chambers 22 and 42 of FIG. 1). Fluid fromthe chamber(s) is driven into the even stage chambers (i. e., chambers32 and 52 of FIG. 1) Simultaneously, fluid from the first set ofchambers is displacing the air in the second set of chambers which areconnected to air line 18 (i.e., chambers 32 and 52 of FIG. 1). Thus, inthe above pumping cycle example, valves 200 and 76 (which is turned off)are open to permit the displaced air in the second set of chambers to bevented as exhaust, via exhaust line 210. After the controller 70determines that the pump cycle is over (by whatever means desired, asdescribed herein) controller turns valve 78 off, and closes the gas savevalve 200, thus venting air lines 16 and 18 to each other, through theexhaust ports of valves 76 and 78, via exhaust line 210. After thecontroller 70 determines that the dwell time period has elapsed, or thatthe pressure in lines 16 and 18 are substantially equalized, the gassave valve 200 is opened to permit exhaust air from air line 16 (via theexhaust port of valve 78) to vent to atmosphere. Simultaneously, thevalve 76 is turned on to permit compressed gas to flow from thecompressor 72 to air line 18. This process can then be reversed for thenext cycle of pumping reducing compressor run time. The above describedcycle of alternate pumping, and equalizing, is repeated after eachpumping cycle. Note that the gas save valve 200 of FIGS. 8-11 may beomitted if equalization of the pressure in the gas lines during a dwelltime period is not desired.

[0035] The filling and emptying of chambers can be further optimizedeither manually or automatically by monitoring either the input air flowinto each of the stages or the exhaust air flow from the chambers. Asdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, operation of theabove well pump may be modified to exclude reliance on a timer if anappropriate flow rate meter is provided. For example, by measuringairflow into the system or exhaust airflow out of the system, it can bedetermined when chambers are empty or full, respectively. As such, thetimer could be omitted and the air cycled on when the flow meterindicates that a set of chambers is full, or conversely the air cycledoff when the flow meter indicates the set of chambers is empty. Thismethod provides for optimized pump cycling without the need for anysensors or wires located down the well. Airflow measurement can alsoserve as a back-up system if the float system or the sensor system ofFIGS. 3 and 10 malfunction.

[0036]FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a control unit 70′ that may beused as the control unit 70 of FIG. 1. As with FIG. 7, a compressor 72provides compressed air to air line 18 via a valve 76. Similarly,compressor 72 provides compressed air to air line 16 via a valve 78. Acontroller 74′, receives an input from a flow sensor 71, connected tothe output of compressor 72, to toggle the valve configuration toalternately cycle valves 76 and 78, open and closed, based on sensed airflow to the chambers via the air lines 16 and 18. Note that the gas savevalve 200 of FIGS. 9 and 10 may be omitted if equalization of the gaslines during a dwell time period is not desired.

[0037] The control unit 70″ of FIG. 10, is similar in most respects tocontrol unit 70′ of FIG. 9. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, theoutput of the exhaust system is connected to air flow sensor 277. Thuswhen displaced air from filling chambers is vented through gas savevalve 200, that air is detected at the air flow sensor 277. It has beendetermined that noticeable changes in the air flow out of the air lines16 and 18 occur when the chambers attached thereto are filled withfluid. Thus, when a chamber is filling, the air flow venting from thechamber is noticeably different from the point in time when the chamberis, in fact, full or when the chamber feeding that chamber is empty andsealed by the float valve. The air flow sensor 277 provides informationto the controller 74′. Based upon the above flow rate information, thecontroller can thus optimize the pumping cycle by turning off thecompressed air to the now empty chambers. Thus, measured air flow canused to cycle valves 76 and 78 to provide compressed air alternately toair lines 16 and 18 without operating purely on the basis of time.Additionally, pressure can be substantially equalized in the down holeportion of air lines 16 and 18 by venting those lines to each other, asadditionally described in connection with FIG. 8.

[0038] Further, in the embodiments described above including an air flowsensor, instead of providing information directly to the controller, theair flow sensor may be monitored by an operator during hardware setup tomanually adjust the controller. The above described control units 70,,70′ and 70″ of FIGS. 8-10 may all be used as the control unit 70 ofFIG. 1. Additionally, the exhaust venting and equalizing systemsdescribed in connection with FIGS. 8 and 10, may be used (with orwithout the air flow sensor 277), with any of the well pump systemsdescribed herein. Additionally, the gas flow may be monitored using thegas flow sensor 71 of FIG. 9 or 277 of FIG. 10, to optimize the timingin a system such as shown in connection with FIGS. 1, 7, and 8.

[0039] In low production wells, extended cycles may be necessary toallow the bottom chamber 22 to fill with fluid. A fluid sensor 77 may beconnected to the output of the fluid line 53, as shown in FIG. 7, todetermine how much fluid has been pumped during that cycle.Alternatively, a fluid flow sensor could be used with the time of flow,indirectly measuring how much fluid is pumped. The direct or indirectfluid measurement can be used to optimize the overall cycle timeallowing chamber 22 to just fill with fluid between cycles. The sensor77, as described herein, may be used in connection with any embodimentof the inventions described herein, if desired. FIG. 7 particularlydepicts the use of a fluid flow meter 77 in connection with a systemthat cycles the valves 76 and 78 in connection with detected airpressure at the exhaust ports of those valves, such as was described inconnection with FIG. 10. FIG. 7 is substantially similar to FIG. 1, inall other respects.

[0040] Alternatively, in one embodiment to be described more fully inconjunction with FIG. 3 below, a simple magnetic sensor, located on thefirst stage, detects when the bottom reservoir 20 is filled with fluid.This input signal to unit 70′″ of FIG. 11 causes the controller 74′″ tobegin a new cycle by energizing valve 78.

[0041]FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B show a cut-away view of the pumping chamber 20of FIG. 1. The pumping chamber 22 of FIG. 4 is additionally exemplary ofall pumping chambers described in connection with the embodiment of FIG.1 of the invention. The pumping chamber 22 of FIG. 4 is generallycylindrical in cross section in its main body portion and includes afloat or float valve 24 which is chosen to be buoyant in the desiredfluid. Each fluid storage chamber has base end 25 and top end 26. Floatvalve 24 includes top end 27 and base end 28. In at least one embodimentof the present inventions, the top end and base end portions ofgenerally cylindrical chamber 22, are tapered to form valve seats ateach end of the chamber. Base end 28 of float valve 24 is adapted toseat in and engage base end 25 of the chamber to serve as a float valve,sealing the chamber and preventing air from entering fluid conduit 13when the chamber is empty, as shown in FIG. 4A. Optionally, top end 27of float valve 24 is adapted to engage top end 26 of the chamber whenthe chamber is full, thus preventing fluid from entering air conduit 16,as shown in FIG. 4B. However, as described below in connection withadditional embodiments of the present inventions, the top end 26 of thechamber need not be adapted to engage the top end of the float 24, ifthe compressor is switched off based on some factor other than purely atime based system. The float valve is disposed in the chamber directlybetween the fluid aperture from which fluid enters and leaves thechamber and the air aperture, from which compressed air enters thechamber, and from which the exhaust air vents when the chamber isfilled.

[0042] The operation of the well pump of FIG. 1 will now be described inconnection with one embodiment of the present inventions. Referring nowto FIGS. 1, 8, 4, 4A and 4B, first stage 20 is placed below fluid level15 of well 11. Since first stage 20 is the lowest pumping stage belowthe fluid level, fluid will enter strainer 12, pass check valve 21,travel through input conduit 13 and enter chamber 22, causing the float24 to rise. Fluid will continue to enter chamber 22 until that chamberis full, or until compressed air is provided to drive the fluid fromthat chamber. As the chamber fills, the float 24 rises, until the top ofthe float sealingly engages the top end 26, of the chamber, thuspreventing fluid from entering the air line 16.

[0043] After a period of time determined by the timer 73, the controller74 will open valve 78, and close valve 76, which provides the compressedair from compressor 72 to the first chamber (and to the odd numberedstages, i.e. 3, 5, etc., if present), via air line 16. While compressedair is provided to chamber 22, no compressed air is being provided tothe second pumping stage. The compressed air forces the fluid throughfluid output conduit 23 and into fluid chamber 32 of second pumpingstage 30. As the chamber empties, the float 24 is lowered, until thebottom surface of the float sealingly engages with the bottom portion 25of chamber 22. At this point, the majority of the fluid has passedthrough check valve 29 and check valve 31 and has entered fluid chamber32. Float 34 rises with the rising fluid level, and engages the topportion of the chamber to prevent fluid from entering the air line, ifthe chamber 32 is sufficiently filled. Check valves 29 and 31 preventthe fluid in fluid line 23 from returning to first pumping stage 20.

[0044] One of check valves 29 and 31 (and a corresponding valve in eachstage) could be eliminated if the tubing is rated at least twice that ofthe supplied air pressure. If check valve 31 were eliminated, checkvalve 29 would be required to carry the combined pressure of thesupplied air and the weight of the fluid column, i.e., about twice thesupplied air pressure. By including check valve 31, and similar valvesat each pumping stage, the tubing can be rated at only the supplied airpressure. By way of illustration, the fluid chambers may be 20 feet inheight and the pumping stages may be vertically displaced by 250-300feet. Compressed air at 150 psi may be supplied independently to firstair line 16 and second air line 18.

[0045] At a second predetermined time based on signals received from thetimer 73, the controller will cause the valve 78 to close and the valve76 to open, thus providing the compressed air to the second stage 30(and to the even numbered stages, i.e. 2, 4, etc., if present). Whilecompressed air is being provided to the chamber 32, chamber 22 of thefirst stage 20 is permitted to fill again with fluid. Additionally, thecompressed air on air line 18 forces the fluid in the second pumpingchamber 32, either to a tank at the surface, or alternatively, ifpresent, into a third pumping stage, such as pumping stage 40 of FIG. 1.As the chamber 32 empties, float 34 sealingly engages the bottom portion35 of chamber 32. Check valve 31 prevents the fluid from returning tofirst pumping stage 20.

[0046] The cycle is then repeated, wherein a compressed gas is suppliedto the even numbered stages to drive the fluid in those stages intohigher level stages, or to a holding tank above ground. During thiscycle, the lowest stage of the pumping system is permitted to refillwith fluid naturally. As described herein, pumping is cyclicallyrepeated between the odd numbered stages (connected to air line 16) andthe even numbered stages (connected to air line 18), thus alternatelypumping fluid from the odd numbered stages to the even numbered stageslocated above them (the lowest odd numbered stage being allowed tofill), and from the even number stages to the odd numbered stages abovethem.

[0047] Additionally, the air lines may, optionally, be substantiallyequalized at the end of each pump cycle, as described more fully inconnection with FIG. 8. Additionally, during each pumping cycle, the airline not currently pressurized is vented to atmosphere through the valveexhaust port, as chambers attached thereto are filled, as described inconnection with FIGS. 8-11.

[0048] As detailed herein, the present inventions will function with asfew as a single pumping stage. However, depending on the depth of thewell, more pumping stages may be desired. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, four such pumping stages are used. In that embodiment, whencompressed air is provided to the first and third stages, via air line16, any fluid in the second third stage is additionally driven to thefourth stage, in the same way as described above in connection with thefirst stage. Likewise, when compressed air is provided to the second andfourth stages via air line 18, any fluid in the fourth stage is drivento storage tank 60 at the surface in similar fashion to that describedabove in connection with operation of the second stage. Additionally, itis expected that in some situations more than four stages may be used.

[0049] Operation of the well pump of FIG. 1 in connection with thecontrol units of FIGS. 9 and 10 would be substantially similar to thatdescribed above in connection with FIG. 8, with the followingexceptions. If the control unit 70′ of FIG. 9 or the control unit 70″ ofFIG. 10 were used instead of the control unit 70 of FIG. 8, thecontroller would cycle the valves based on sensed gas flow. For example,in a system including the control unit 70″, the operation of the wellpump of FIG. 1 would operate substantially as described above inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 8, with the exception that the valves wouldnot be cycled based on the basis of a timer input, but rather would becycled based upon a substantially diminished air flow from the output ofthe exhaust line 210, indicated by the flow sensor 277.

[0050] Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3 and 11, there is shownanother embodiment of the present inventions. As described in connectionwith FIG. 1, above, the invention of FIG. 3 can include at least asingle stage, or more if desired (as shown in FIG. 3). The operation ofthe pump 10′″ of FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. 1. Fluid enters thestage 20′″, causing the float 24′″ to rise with the fluid level.However, rather than operating based solely on time or airflow, asdescribed above in connections with FIGS. 1 and 8-10, the presentembodiment includes a magnetic disk located in the top portion of thefloat 24′″. Additionally, a single magnetic sensing device 84, islocated at the top portion 27′″ of the first stage 20′″, external to thechamber. When the float 24′″ rises, and the magnet 80 is brought intoclose proximity to the magnetic sensing device 84, the controller 70′″causes the air provided to the first (and any additional odd numberedstages present) to be turned on. Optionally, a timer 73′″ may provide atiming signal to the controller 74′″ which is used to turn off the airto the first stage after a predetermined time. Alternatively, a flowrate sensor system 277′″, such as described in connection with FIG. 10may be provided instead of or in addition to the timer to cause thecontroller to cycle the air between the sets of pumping stages at adesired time when the magnet 80 is not in close proximity to themagnetic sensing device 84. The use of the magnetic sensor and the airflow sensor further optimizes the filling and emptying of the chambers,while adding only one sensor to the pump located in the well.

[0051] In deeper wells it may be desirable to avoid the accumulation ofpressure by not permitting the float 24 to seal against top end 26 ofchamber 22 in lowest pumping stage 20. In the system of FIG. 3, it isunnecessary to have the float sealingly engage with the top portion ofthe chamber, because the compressed air is turned on as soon as themagnet is sensed. In fact, as all chambers are of relatively equalvolume, no stage, except possibly the topmost stage, requires that thefloat sealingly engage the top portion of the chamber. Similarly, if theflow rate meter control system were to be used as described inconnection with FIGS. 9 and 10, with or without the magnetic sensor, thefloat would, likewise, not need to be sealingly engaged with the top ofthe chamber.

[0052] Note also that stage 30′″ of FIG. 3 does not include amagnet/magnetic sensor pair. Rather, again because all chambers are ofrelatively equal volume, it is only necessary to provide a magneticsensor on the first stage 20′″. By providing only the first stage with amagnetic sensor read at the surface, this provides the advantage ofreducing the cost and maintenance of sensors and wire located down thewell.

[0053] For higher flow-capacity wells, an alternate duplex pumpingsystem 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown, duplex-pumping system 100includes first and second stages 120 and 130 and additional pumpingstages 140 and 150 as needed. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1,additional pumping stages may be added as desired. In duplex pumpingsystem 100, first stage 120 and second stage 130 are below fluid level115. Fluid enters strainer or other filter 12 into fluid input conduit113, passes check valve 121 and enters first pumping stage 120. At sometime after the first pumping stage 120 is full, first compressed airline 16 is pressurized and forces fluid from first pumping stage 120through fluid output conduit 123, and output check valve 129 into thirdpumping stage 140. Note that control unit 170 of FIG. 5, can be any ofthose control units described herein in connection with FIGS. 1, 3, and7-11, above. The fluid is emptied from the pumping stage 120, asdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1, 3 and 7-11, into the chamberof pumping stage 140, until the fluid is removed from first pumpingstage 120 and the float sealingly engages with the bottom of thechamber. After which, the air line 16 is turned off by the control unit70 using one of the means (i.e., timer and/or magnetic sensor and/or airflow sensor) described herein.

[0054] While first pumping stage 120 is being emptied, fluid willcontinue through fluid input conduit 113 past check valve 131 and intosecond pumping stage 130. Once air line 16 is turned off and air line 18is turned on, the compressed air supplied to pumping stage 130 forcesthe fluid in pumping stage 130 through fluid output conduit 133 andcheck valve 139 into fourth pumping stage 150. From stages 140 and 150,the fluid is driven either to additional stages not shown in FIG. 5, orto the above ground storage tank 60.

[0055] First and second pumping stages 120 and 130 are alternatelyfilled and emptied to allow, almost continuous filling and fluidmovement, thus permitting essentially a 100% duty cycle. Once a pumpingstage has completed its cycle and been emptied, the air supply conduitto that pumping stage is vented allowing additional fluids to enter thepumping stage. First compressed air line 16 is attached to a first setof pumping stages including first and fourth pumping stages 120 and 150and second compressed air line 18 is attached to a second set of pumpingstages including second and third pumping stages 130 and 140.

[0056] Although fluid removed from second pumping stage 130 could enterthird pumping stage 140 if there were no pressure, the common pressuresupply line 18 to second pumping stage 130 and third pumping stage 140prevents fluid from entering third stage 140 while second stage 130 isbeing emptied, thus making the fluid divert to fourth pumping stage 150.Additional pumping stages can be added and supplied by the appropriatecompressed air conduit so that the fluid alternates between a pumpingstage in the first set and a pumping stage in the second set. The stagesmay be vented and/or substantially equalized, as described in connectionwith FIGS. 8 and 10, above.

[0057] Illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are some possible float valvesfor use with the present inventions. FIG. 6A shows a float 24A which mayconsist of an air filled tube with “rubber” semi spheres sealed at bothends. These semi spheres are constructed to engage top end 26 or bottomend 25 of chamber 22 and prevent the entrance of excess air or excessfluid, if desired. In a second embodiment, float 24B may be a ball whichis either hollow or solid with a low specific gravity which floats inthe fluid. A third float embodiment 24C is illustrated where the floatis a solid tube made from a material with a low specific gravity.Optionally, any of these floats may be adapted to include a magnet 80,as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C, so as to be useful in the embodimentdescribed in connection with FIGS. 3 and 10. However, if not used with amagnetic sensor, as described herein, the magnets 80 are omitted.

[0058] First embodiment float 24A must be a material with an internalair pressure or mechanical mechanism to prevent implosion due to airline pressures or formation pressures in the well. Second embodimentfloat 24B could also be hollow with the required internal air pressureand does not require that a floating tube remain upright. Use of a solidmaterial, such as in third embodiment 24C further reduces the risk ofimplosion of the float. If a solid type of float is used, the materialmust have a sufficiently low specific gravity to float in the pumpedfluid.

[0059] The well pump as described herein is designed to reduce cost andmaintenance. Additionally, as down well sensors are either eliminatedcompletely, or minimized, only a minimum of electronics is required. Tofurther reduce cost and complexity, it is preferred that the pipes,check valves and other equipment be made from readily available partssuch as polyethylene tubing, brass, stainless steel, heavy grade PVCtubing or other plastic components. These parts can be moved to the wellsite without the use of heavy trucks, etc. and assembled withoutspecialized well field equipment. Alternatively, for increased strengthor other reasons, the components could be made of metals or othermaterials as commonly understood by those of skill in the art.Similarly, the floats are preferably made of chemically resistantrubber, but alternate materials could be used.

[0060] The above inventions are described in connection with the pumpingof oil, but it is understood that the above system could be used to pumpwater or other fluids. Additionally, as described herein, any number ofstages greater than two can be used. Further, the above inventions canbe adapted for use as a single stage pump, by providing a single airline to the chamber of the single stage, and by having the controllercycle the compressor on and off (or alternatively, by opening andclosing the valve to the single air line) and by cycling the compressorusing any of the above described controller units.

[0061] Since it is most readily available, ambient air is preferred forcompression and supply through the air lines; however, natural gas,carbon dioxide, or other gases may also be used.

[0062] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detailin the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understoodthat only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid pumping system for pumping fluid from awell to a collection system comprising: a control unit comprising: apressurized gas source located above ground including a pressurized gasoutlet, at least a first control valve including at least an input portand an output port, said input port in fluid communication with saidpressurized gas outlet, said first control valve operable between atleast a first “on” position and a second “off” position, at least afirst pressurized gas line connected to said output port of said atleast one valve for receiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gassource when said first control valve is in said first “on” position andnot receiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gas source when saidfirst control valve is in said second “off” position, additionally, afirst exhaust port in fluid communication with said at least a firstcompressed gas line for venting said first compressed gas line when saidfirst control valve is in said second “off” position, a controlleroperable to switch said first control valve between said first and saidsecond positions and control said venting means, based on the occurrenceof a switching event signal, at least a first pumping stage locatedbelow the fluid level down the well, said at least a first pumping stagecomprising: at least a first fluid chamber, said first fluid chamberhaving a top and bottom, said top including a pressurized gas aperture,said bottom including a fluid aperture, said pressurized gas aperture influid communication with said at least one pressurized gas line, a firststage fluid intake conduit for receiving fluid from said well based uponnatural fluid pressure, said fluid intake conduit in fluid communicationwith said fluid aperture, said fluid intake conduit additionallyincluding at least a first check valve, a first stage fluid outputconduit connected to said fluid intake conduit between said fluidaperture and said first check valve, said fluid output conduit connectedto a storage chamber above said first pumping stage, said first stagefluid output conduit additionally including at least a second checkvalve, a first float disposed in said first fluid chamber directlybetween said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture, saidfirst float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid, said float including atop portion and a bottom portion, wherein said bottom portion of saidfloat is adapted to sealingly engage said fluid aperture when said firstfluid chamber is substantially empty, and wherein said float is free totravel the entire length of said fluid chamber between said pressurizedgas aperture and said fluid aperture.
 2. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 1, wherein said storage chamber is a storage tank located aboveground.
 3. The fluid pumping system of claim 1, wherein said controlunit additionally comprises: a second control valve including at leastan input port and an output port, said input port in fluid communicationwith said pressurized gas outlet, said second control valve operablebetween at least a first “on” position and a second “off” position, asecond pressurized gas line connected to said output port of said secondvalve for receiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gas sourcewhen said second control valve is in said first “on” position and notreceiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gas source when saidsecond control valve is in said second “off” position, a second exhaustport in fluid communication with said second compressed gas line forventing said second compressed gas line when said second control valveis in said second “off” position, wherein said controller is operable toswitch said second pressurized gas valve between said first and saidsecond positions and control said venting means upon the occurrence of asecond switching event signal, and wherein said storage chambercomprises: a second pumping stage comprising: a second fluid chamberlocated at a level above said first fluid chamber in said well, saidsecond fluid chamber including a top portion and a bottom portion, saidtop portion including a pressurized gas aperture, said bottom portionincluding a fluid aperture, said air aperture in fluid communicationwith said second pressurized gas line, said fluid aperture in fluidcommunication with said first stage output conduit, a second floatdisposed in said second fluid chamber directly between said pressurizedgas aperture and said fluid aperture, said second float including a topportion and a bottom portion, wherein said bottom portion of said secondfloat is adapted to sealingly engage said fluid aperture when saidsecond fluid chamber is substantially empty, and wherein said secondfloat is free to travel the entire length of said second fluid chamberbetween said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture, a secondstage fluid output conduit connected to said first stage fluid outputconduit between said second chamber fluid aperture and said second checkvalve, said second stage fluid output conduit in fluid communicationwith a storage chamber above said second pumping stage.
 4. The pumpingsystem of claim 3, wherein said switching event signal and said secondswitching event signal are the same switching event signal.
 5. Thepumping system of claim 3, wherein said first control valve furtherincludes integrally therewith, said first exhaust port, and wherein saidsecond control valve further includes integrally therewith, said secondexhaust port.
 6. The pumping system of claim 3 wherein said first andsaid second switching event signals are generated on the basis of time,whereby on the occurrence of one of a predetermined time and apredetermined elapsed time period, said first control valve position isswitched and said second control valve position is switched and whereinwhen said first control valve is switched on said second control valveswitched off, and wherein when said first control valve is switched offsaid second control valve is switched on.
 7. The fluid pump system ofclaim 6 wherein the top of said first float is adapted to sealinglyengage said pressurized gas aperture of said first chamber when saidfirst chamber is substantially full.
 8. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 3 wherein said control unit includes a gas save valve connected tosaid controller and operable between a first “open” position and asecond “closed” position, said gas save valve including an input and anoutput, the input of which is connected to said first and said secondexhaust ports, whereby said first and second exhaust ports are connectedto each other through said exhaust valve input, the output of saidexhaust valve including a third exhaust port, wherein upon theoccurrence of at least one of a first and second switching event, saidcontroller switches both said first control valve and said secondcontrol valve to the “off” position, and switches said gas save valve tothe closed position, to vent said first pressurized gas line to saidsecond pressurized gas line to substantially equalize the pressure insaid pressurized gas lines.
 9. The fluid pumping system of claim 8wherein said controller opens said gas save valve and switches one ofsaid first and second control valves to said on position after one of apredetermined time and a determination that the pressure between saidfirst pressurized gas line and said second pressurized gas line issubstantially equalized.
 10. The fluid pumping system of claim 3,wherein aid control unit includes a gas flow sensor including a flowinput conduit, said flow input conduit being in fluid communication withsaid first and second gas compressed gas lines to monitor the flow ofcompressed gas to the system.
 11. The fluid pumping system of claim 10,wherein the output of said gas flow sensor is provided to saidcontroller and at least one of said first and second switching eventsoccurs based on the output from said gas flow sensor.
 12. The fluidpumping system of claim 3, wherein said control unit includes a gas flowsensor including a flow input conduit, said flow input conduit being influid communication with the output of said first and second exhaustports to monitor the flow of exhaust gas from said first chamber whensaid first chamber is filling with fluid and to additionally monitor theflow of exhaust gas from said second chamber when said second chamber isfilling with fluid.
 13. The fluid pumping system of claim 12, wherein atleast one of said first and second switching event signals are relatedto the detection of a substantially diminished gas flow at said gas flowsensor.
 14. The fluid pumping system of claim 13, wherein at least oneof said first and second switching event signals are manually providedto the controller when an operator observes a diminished gas flowdetected at said gas flow sensor.
 15. The fluid pumping system of claim14, wherein said controller automatically generates a switching eventsignal based on the automatic detection of a substantially diminishedgas flow by said gas flow sensor.
 16. The fluid pumping system of claim3, wherein said control unit includes a magnetic sensing device locatedat said first pumping stage at the top of said first chamber and whereinsaid first float includes a magnetic element, wherein said magneticelement is sensed by said magnetic sensing device when said float isbrought into proximity to said magnetic sensing device when said chamberis substantially full of fluid, and wherein said magnetic sensorprovides said first switching event signal to said controller when saidmagnet is detected, wherein only said first stage includes said magneticsensing device and only at the top of said chamber.
 17. The fluidpumping system of claim 16, wherein a timer provides said secondswitching event signal.
 18. The fluid pumping system of claim 17,wherein said control unit includes a gas flow sensor in fluidcommunication with said first and second exhaust ports, wherein saidsecond switching event signal is generated based upon the detection of asubstantially diminished gas flow at one of said first and secondexhaust ports by said gas flow sensor.
 19. A multiple stage pumpingsystem, comprising: for pumping fluid from a well to a collection systemcomprising: a control unit comprising: a pressurized gas source locatedabove ground including a pressurized gas outlet, a first control valve,said first control valve operable between at least a first “on” positionand a second “off” position, said first valve including at least aninput port and an output port, said input port being in fluidcommunication with said output port when said valve is in said first“on” position, a first pressurized gas line connected to said outputport of said at least one valve for receiving pressurized gas from saidpressurized gas source when said first control valve is in said first“on” position and not receiving pressurized gas from said pressurizedgas source when said first control valve is in said second “off”position, a first exhaust port in fluid communication with said firstcompressed gas line for venting said first compressed gas line when saidfirst control valve is in said second “off” position, a second controlvalve, said second control valve operable between at least a first “on”position and a second “off” position, said second valve including atleast an input port and an output port, said input port being in fluidcommunication with said output port when said valve is in said first“on” position, a second pressurized gas line connected to said outputport of said second valve for receiving pressurized gas from saidpressurized gas source when said second control valve is in said first“on” position and not receiving pressurized gas from said pressurizedgas source when said second control valve is in said second “off”position, a second exhaust port in fluid communication with said secondcompressed gas line for venting said second compressed gas line whensaid second control valve is in said second “off” position, a controlleroperable to switch said first control valve between said first and saidsecond positions and said second control valve between said first andsaid second positions, based on the occurrence of switching eventsignals, a timing source for providing clock signals to said controller,said switching event signals being generated based upon said clocksignals, a first pumping stage located below the fluid level down thewell, said first pumping stage comprising: a first fluid chamberincluding a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portionextending between said top portion and said bottom portion, wherein saidtop portion includes a pressurized gas aperture and said bottom portionincludes a fluid aperture, said pressurized gas aperture in fluidcommunication with said first pressurized gas line, a first floatdisposed in said first fluid chamber directly between said pressurizedgas aperture and said fluid aperture, said first float chosen to bebuoyant in said fluid, said first float including a top portion and abottom portion, wherein said bottom portion of said float is adapted tosealingly engage said fluid aperture when said first fluid chamber issubstantially empty, and wherein said float is free to travel the entirelength of said fluid chamber between said pressurized gas aperture andsaid fluid aperture a first stage fluid intake conduit for receivingfluid from said well based upon natural fluid pressure, said fluidintake conduit in fluid communication with said fluid aperture, saidfluid intake conduit additionally including at least a first checkvalve, a first stage fluid output conduit connected to said fluid intakeconduit between said fluid aperture and said first check valve, saidfluid output conduit connected to a second pumping stage above saidfirst pumping stage in said well, said first stage fluid output conduitadditionally including at least a second check valve, a second pumpingstage located in the well above said first pumping stage, said secondpumping stage comprising: a second fluid chamber including a topportion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion extending betweensaid top portion and said bottom portion, wherein said top portionincludes a pressurized gas aperture and said bottom portion includes afluid aperture, said pressurized gas aperture in fluid communicationwith said second pressurized gas line, said fluid aperture in fluidcommunication with the distal end of said first stage fluid outputconduit, a second float disposed in said second fluid chamber directlybetween said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture, saidsecond float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid, said second floatincluding a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said bottomportion of said float is adapted to sealingly engage said fluid aperturewhen said second fluid chamber is substantially empty, and wherein saidsecond float is free to travel the entire length of said fluid chamberbetween said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture a secondstage fluid output conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, theproximal end connected to said first stage fluid output conduit betweensaid fluid aperture and said second check valve, the distal end of saidsecond stage fluid output conduit connected to a storage chamber abovesaid second pumping stage in said well, said second stage fluid outputconduit additionally including at least a third check valve.
 20. Themultiple stage pumping system of claim 19, wherein said storage chambercomprises a third pumping stage located in the well above said secondpumping stage, said third pumping stage comprising: a third fluidchamber including a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediateportion extending between said top portion and said bottom portion,wherein said top portion includes a pressurized gas aperture and saidbottom portion includes a fluid aperture, said pressurized gas aperturein fluid communication with said first pressurized gas line, said fluidaperture in fluid communication with the distal end of said second stagefluid output conduit, a third float disposed in said third fluid chamberdirectly between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture,said third float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid, said third floatincluding a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said bottomportion of said float is adapted to sealingly engage said fluid aperturewhen said third fluid chamber is substantially empty, and wherein saidthird float is free to travel the entire length of said fluid chamberbetween said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture a thirdstage fluid output conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, theproximal end connected to said second stage fluid output conduit betweensaid fluid aperture and said third check valve, the distal end of saidthird stage fluid output conduit connected to a storage chamber abovesaid third pumping stage in said well, said third stage fluid outputconduit additionally including at least a fourth check valve.
 21. Thefluid pumping system of claim 20, wherein said second storage chamber isa storage tank located above ground.
 22. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 20, wherein said second storage chamber is at least one additionalpumping stage of the same type as the second pumping stage, including afourth fluid output conduit connected to a storage chamber located abovesaid at least one additional pumping stage.
 23. The fluid pumping systemof claim 19, wherein said switching event signal occurs after apredetermined period of time.
 24. The fluid pumping system of claim 23,wherein when said first control valve is on said second control valve isoff during a pumping cycle, and wherein when said second control valveis on, said first control valve is off during a pumping cycle.
 25. Thefluid pumping system of claim 24, wherein periodically said firstpressurized gas line is vented to said second pressurized gas line tosubstantially equalize the pressure in said pressurized gas lines. 26.The fluid pumping system of claim 24, wherein the top portion of saidfirst float is adapted to sealingly engage said gas aperture.
 27. Amultiple stage pumping system, comprising: for pumping fluid from a wellto a storage chamber comprising: a control unit comprising: apressurized gas source located above ground including a pressurized gasoutlet, a first control valve located above ground and connected to saidpressurized gas outlet, said first control valve operable between atleast a first “on” position and a second “off” position, said firstcontrol valve including at least an input port and an output port, saidinput port in fluid communication with said compressed gas outlet, asecond control valve located above ground and connected to saidpressurized gas outlet, said second control valve operable between atleast a first “on” position and a second “off” position, said secondcontrol valve including at least an input port and an output port, saidinput port in fluid communication with said compressed gas outlet, afirst pressurized gas line connected to the output port of said firstcontrol valve for receiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gassource when said first control valve is in said first “on” position andnot receiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gas source when saidfirst control valve is in said second “off” position, a secondpressurized gas line connected to the output port of said second controlvalve for receiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gas sourcewhen said second control valve is in said first “on” position and notreceiving pressurized gas from said pressurized gas source when saidsecond control valve is in said second “off” position, a first exhaustport in fluid communication with said first compressed gas line forventing said first compressed gas line when said first control valve isin said second “off” position, a second exhaust port in fluidcommunication with said second compressed gas line for venting saidsecond compressed gas line when said second control valve is in saidsecond “off” position, an exhaust conduit, connected to said firstexhaust port and said second exhaust port to receive exhaust gas fromsaid first and second control valves when said first and second controlvalves are in the off position, a gas flow sensor in fluid communicationwith said exhaust conduit, a controller operable to switch said firstcontrol valve between said first and said second positions and saidsecond control valve between said first and said second positions, basedon the occurrence of a substantially diminished exhaust gas flowdetected by said gas flow sensor, wherein, when said first control valveis in the on position, said second control valve is in the off positionand wherein, when said second control valve is in the on position, saidfirst control valve is in the off position a first pumping stage locatedbelow the fluid level down the well, said first pumping stagecomprising: a first fluid chamber including a top portion, a bottomportion, and an intermediate portion extending between said top portionand said bottom portion, wherein said top portion includes a pressurizedgas aperture and said bottom portion includes a fluid aperture, saidpressurized gas aperture in fluid communication with said firstpressurized gas line, a first float disposed in said first fluid chamberdirectly between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture,said first float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid, said first floatincluding a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said bottomportion of said float is adapted to sealingly engage said fluid aperturewhen said first fluid chamber is substantially empty, and wherein saidfloat is free to travel the entire length of said fluid chamber betweensaid pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture a first stagefluid intake conduit for receiving fluid from said well based uponnatural fluid pressure, said fluid intake conduit in fluid communicationwith said fluid aperture, said fluid intake conduit additionallyincluding at least a first check valve, a first stage fluid outputconduit connected to said fluid intake conduit between said fluidaperture and said first check valve, said fluid output conduit connectedto a second pumping stage above said first pumping stage in said well,said first stage fluid output conduit additionally including at least asecond check valve, a second pumping stage located in the well abovesaid first pumping stage, said second pumping stage comprising: a secondfluid chamber including a top portion, a bottom portion, and anintermediate portion extending between said top portion and said bottomportion, wherein said top portion includes a pressurized gas apertureand said bottom portion includes a fluid aperture, said pressurized gasaperture in fluid communication with said second pressurized gas line,said fluid aperture in fluid communication with the distal end of saidfirst stage fluid output conduit, a second float disposed in said secondfluid chamber directly between said pressurized gas aperture and saidfluid aperture, said second float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid,said second float including a top portion and a bottom portion, whereinsaid bottom portion of said float is adapted to sealingly engage saidfluid aperture when said second fluid chamber is substantially empty,and wherein said second float is free to travel the entire length ofsaid fluid chamber between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluidaperture a second stage fluid output conduit having a proximal end and adistal end, the proximal end connected to said first stage fluid outputconduit between said fluid aperture and said second check valve, thedistal end of said second stage fluid output conduit connected to astorage chamber above said second pumping stage in said well, saidsecond stage fluid output conduit additionally including at least athird check valve.
 28. The multiple stage pumping system of claim 27,wherein said storage chamber is a third pumping stage located in thewell above said second pumping stage, said third pumping stagecomprising: a third fluid chamber including a top portion, a bottomportion, and an intermediate portion extending between said top portionand said bottom portion, wherein said top portion includes a pressurizedgas aperture and said bottom portion includes a fluid aperture, saidpressurized gas aperture in fluid communication with said firstpressurized gas line, said fluid aperture in fluid communication withthe distal end of said second stage fluid output conduit, a third floatdisposed in said third fluid chamber directly between said pressurizedgas aperture and said fluid aperture, said third float chosen to bebuoyant in said fluid, said third float including a top portion and abottom portion, wherein said bottom portion of said float is adapted tosealingly engage said fluid aperture when said third fluid chamber issubstantially empty, and wherein said third float is free to travel theentire length of said fluid chamber between said pressurized gasaperture and said fluid aperture a third stage fluid output conduithaving a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected tosaid second stage fluid output conduit between said fluid aperture andsaid third check valve, the distal end of said third stage fluid outputconduit connected to a second storage chamber above said third pumpingstage in said well, said third stage fluid output conduit additionallyincluding at least a fourth check valve.
 29. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 28, wherein said second storage chamber is a storage tank locatedabove ground.
 30. The fluid pumping system of claim 28, wherein saidsecond storage chamber is at least one additional pumping stage of thesame type as the second pumping stage, including a fourth fluid outputconduit connected to a storage chamber located above said at least oneadditional pumping stage.
 31. The fluid pumping system of claim 28wherein said first pressurized gas line is vented to said secondpressurized gas line through said first and second exhaust ports tosubstantially equalize the pressure in said pressurized gas lines aftereach pumping cycle and prior to the next pumping cycle.
 32. A multiplestage pumping system, comprising: for pumping fluid from a well to astorage chamber comprising: a control unit comprising: a pressurized gassource located above ground including a pressurized gas outlet, a firstcontrol valve located above ground and connected to said pressurized gasoutlet, said first control valve operable between at least a first “on”position and a second “off” position, said first control valve includingat least an input port and an output port, said input port in fluidcommunication with said pressurized gas outlet, a second control valvelocated above ground and connected to said pressurized gas outlet, saidsecond control valve operable between at least a first “on” position anda second “off” position, said first control valve including at least aninput port and an output port, said input port in fluid communicationwith said pressurized gas outlet, a first pressurized gas line connectedto the output port of said first control valve for receiving pressurizedgas from said pressurized gas source when said first control valve is insaid first “on” position and not receiving pressurized gas from saidpressurized gas source when said first control valve is in said second“off” position, a second pressurized gas line connected to the outputport of said second control valve for receiving pressurized gas fromsaid pressurized gas source when said second control valve is in saidfirst “on” position and not receiving pressurized gas from saidpressurized gas source when said second control valve is in said second“off” position, a first exhaust port in fluid communication with saidfirst compressed gas line for venting said first compressed gas linewhen said first control valve is in said second “off” position, a secondexhaust port in fluid communication with said second compressed gas linefor venting said second compressed gas line when said second controlvalve is in said second “off” position, a single magnetic sensor locatedin the well in a, external to and adjacent a first pumping stage,wherein only said first stage includes a magnetic sensor, a controlleroperable to switch said first control valve between said first and saidsecond positions and said second control valve between said first andsaid second positions, based on the occurrence of switching eventsignals, said controller in electrical communication with said singlemagnetic sensor, wherein said first and second control valves areswitched cyclically a first time based upon receipt of an electricalsignal from said magnetic sensor and a second time based upon a secondswitching event signal, a first pumping stage located below the fluidlevel down the well, said first pumping stage comprising: a first fluidchamber including a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediateportion extending between said top portion and said bottom portion,wherein said top portion includes a pressurized gas aperture and saidbottom portion includes a fluid aperture, said pressurized gas aperturein fluid communication with said first pressurized gas line, saidmagnetic sensor located external to and adjacent said top portion ofsaid first fluid chamber, a first float disposed in said first fluidchamber directly between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluidaperture, said first float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid, saidfirst float including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein saidbottom portion of said float is adapted to sealingly engage said fluidaperture when said first fluid chamber is substantially empty, whereinsaid top portion includes a disc made of a magnetic material, andwherein said float is free to travel the entire length of said fluidchamber between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture afirst stage fluid intake conduit for receiving fluid from said wellbased upon natural fluid pressure, said fluid intake conduit in fluidcommunication with said fluid aperture, said fluid intake conduitadditionally including at least a first check valve, a first stage fluidoutput conduit connected to said fluid intake conduit between said fluidaperture and said first check valve, said fluid output conduit connectedto a second pumping stage above said first pumping stage in said well,said first stage fluid output conduit additionally including at least asecond check valve, a second pumping stage located in the well abovesaid first pumping stage, said second pumping stage comprising: a secondfluid chamber including a top portion, a bottom portion, and anintermediate portion extending between said top portion and said bottomportion, wherein said top portion includes a pressurized gas apertureand said bottom portion includes a fluid aperture, said pressurized gasaperture in fluid communication with said second pressurized gas line,said fluid aperture in fluid communication with the distal end of saidfirst stage fluid output conduit, a second float disposed in said secondfluid chamber directly between said pressurized gas aperture and saidfluid aperture, said second float chosen to be buoyant in said fluid,said second float including a top portion and a bottom portion, whereinsaid bottom portion of said float is adapted to sealingly engage saidfluid aperture when said second fluid chamber is substantially empty,and wherein said second float is free to travel the entire length ofsaid fluid chamber between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluidaperture a second stage fluid output conduit having a proximal end and adistal end, the proximal end connected to said first stage fluid outputconduit between said fluid aperture and said second check valve, thedistal end of said second stage fluid output conduit connected to astorage chamber above said second pumping stage in said well, saidsecond stage fluid output conduit additionally including at least athird check valve.
 33. The multiple stage pumping system of claim 32,wherein said storage chamber comprises a third pumping stage located inthe well above said second pumping stage, said third pumping stagecomprising: a third fluid chamber including a top portion, a bottomportion, and an intermediate portion extending between said top portionand said bottom portion, wherein said top portion includes a pressurizedgas aperture and said bottom portion includes a fluid aperture, saidpressurized gas aperture in fluid communication with said firstpressurized gas line, said fluid aperture in fluid communication withthe distal end of said second stage fluid output conduit, a third floatdisposed in said second fluid chamber directly between said pressurizedgas aperture and said fluid aperture, said third float chosen to bebuoyant in said fluid, said third float including a top portion and abottom portion, wherein said bottom portion of said float is adapted tosealingly engage said fluid aperture when said third fluid chamber issubstantially empty, and wherein said third float is free to travel theentire length of said fluid chamber between said pressurized gasaperture and said fluid aperture a third stage fluid output conduithaving a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected tosaid second stage fluid output conduit between said fluid aperture andsaid third check valve, the distal end of said third stage fluid outputconduit connected to a storage chamber above said third pumping stage insaid well, said third stage fluid output conduit additionally includingat least a fourth check valve.
 34. The multiple pumping system of claim32, wherein said control unit includes a timing device, and said secondswitching event occurs after a predetermined period of time based upon asignal from said timing device.
 35. The multiple pumping system of claim32, wherein said control unit includes an exhaust conduit, connected tosaid first exhaust port and said second exhaust port to receive exhaustgas from said first and second control valves when said valves are inthe off position, said control unit additionally including a gas flowsensor connected to an output of said exhaust conduit, and wherein saidsecond switching event occurs based upon said gas flow sensorregistering a substantially diminished gas flow from said exhaustconduit.
 36. The fluid pumping system of claim 35, wherein said controlunit additionally, includes a gas save valve connected to saidcontroller, said gas save valve and operable between a first “open”position and a second “closed” position, said gas save valve includingan input and an output, the input of which is connected to the output ofsaid exhaust conduit, wherein upon the occurrence of at least one ofsaid first and second switching events, said controller switches bothsaid first control valve and said second control valve to the “off”position, and switches said gas save valve to the closed position, tovent said first pressurized gas line to said second pressurized gas lineto substantially equalize the pressure in said pressurized gas lines.37. A duplex well pump, comprising: a first fluid intake stage locatedin the well below the fluid level, said first intake stage including: afirst fluid chamber, said first fluid chamber having a top portion, abottom portion and an intermediate portion located between said top andbottom portions, said top portion including a compressed gas aperture,said bottom portion including a fluid aperture, a first intake conduitincluding a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end open toreceive fluid from the well, said distal end connected to the fluidaperture of said first fluid chamber, said first fluid intake conduitincluding a first check valve disposed in said conduit between saidproximal end and said distal end of said first fluid intake conduit, afirst float disposed in said first chamber directly between said gasaperture and said fluid aperture, said float having a buoyancy in saidfluid to permit said first float to rise and fall with the fluid levelof the fluid in said first chamber, wherein said first float is free totravel the entire length of said first fluid chamber between saidpressurized gas aperture and said fluid aperture, wherein the bottomportion of said first float sealingly engages the fluid aperture of saidfirst fluid intake chamber when said first fluid intake chamber issubstantially empty, and a first fluid output conduit including aproximal end connected to said first fluid intake conduit between saidfluid aperture of said first fluid intake chamber and said first checkvalve and a distal end connected to a first storage chamber, said firstfluid output conduit including at least a second check valve, and asecond fluid intake stage located in the well below the fluid level,said second intake stage including: a second fluid chamber, said secondfluid chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion and an intermediateportion located between said top and bottom portions, said top portionincluding a compressed gas aperture, said bottom portion including afluid aperture, a second intake conduit including a proximal end and adistal end, said proximal end open to receive fluid from the well, saiddistal end connected to the fluid aperture of said second fluid chamber,said second fluid intake conduit including a third check valve disposedin said conduit between said proximal end and said distal end of saidsecond fluid intake conduit, a second float disposed in said secondchamber directly between said gas aperture and said fluid aperture, saidfloat having a buoyancy in said fluid to permit said second float torise and fall with the fluid level of the fluid in said second chamber,wherein said second float is free to travel the entire length of saidsecond fluid chamber between said pressurized gas aperture and saidfluid aperture, wherein the bottom portion of said second floatsealingly engages the fluid aperture of said second fluid intake chamberwhen said second fluid intake chamber is substantially empty, a secondfluid output conduit including a proximal end connected to said secondfluid intake conduit between said fluid aperture of said second fluidintake chamber and said third check valve and a distal end connected toa second storage chamber, said second fluid output conduit including atleast a fourth check valve, and a control unit, comprising: a compressedgas source including a compressed gas output, a first valve connected tosaid compressed gas output, said first valve operable between at least afirst “on” position and a second “off” position, said first valveincluding at least a first valve input and a first valve output, saidfirst valve input being in fluid communication with said compressed gasoutput, a second valve connected to said compressed gas output, saidsecond valve operable between at least a first “on” position and asecond “off” position, said second valve including at least a secondvalve input and a second valve output, a first compressed gas line,including a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end in fluidcommunication with said first valve output, said distal end in fluidcommunication with at least the gas aperture of said first fluid intakechamber, wherein said first gas line receives a compressed gas from saidcompressed gas source when said first valve is in said first “on”position, a second compressed gas line, including a proximal end and adistal end, said proximal end in fluid communication with said secondvalve output, said distal end in fluid communication with at least thegas aperture of said second fluid intake chamber, wherein said secondgas line receives a compressed gas from said compressed gas source whensaid second valve is in said first “on” position, a first exhaust portin fluid communication with said first compressed gas line for ventingsaid first compressed gas line when said first control valve is in saidsecond “off” position, a second exhaust port in fluid communication withsaid second compressed gas line for venting said second compressed gasline when said second control valve is in said second “off” position, acontroller for alternately switching said first and second valvesbetween said first and second positions, wherein said controlleroperates such that when said first valve is in the on position, saidsecond valve is in the off position, and when said second valve is inthe on position, said first valve is in the off position.
 38. The duplexwell pump of claim 37, wherein said first and second storage chambersare a single holding tank located on the surface above the well andwherein said first and second output conduits are a single outputconduit in fluid communication with said single holding tank.
 39. Theduplex well pump of claim 37 wherein said first storage chamber includesa third pumping stage, comprising: a third fluid chamber, said thirdfluid chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion and an intermediateportion located between said top and bottom portions, said top portionincluding a compressed gas aperture, said bottom portion including afluid aperture, said compressed gas aperture being connected to saidsecond compressed gas line, a third float disposed in said third fluidchamber directly between said gas aperture and said fluid aperture, saidfloat having a buoyancy in said fluid to permit said third float to riseand fall with the fluid level of the fluid in said third chamber,wherein said third float is free to travel the entire length of saidthird fluid chamber between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluidaperture, wherein the bottom portion of said third float sealinglyengages the fluid aperture of said third fluid chamber when said thirdfluid chamber is substantially empty, a third fluid output conduitincluding a proximal end connected to said first fluid output conduitbetween said fluid aperture of said third fluid chamber and said secondcheck valve and a distal end connected to a third storage chamber, saidthird fluid output conduit including at least a fifth check valve, andwherein said second storage chamber includes a fourth pumping stage,comprising: a fourth fluid chamber, said fourth fluid chamber having atop portion, a bottom portion and an intermediate portion locatedbetween said top and bottom portions, said top portion including acompressed gas aperture, said bottom portion including a fluid aperture,said compressed gas aperture being connected to said first compressedgas line, a fourth float disposed in said fourth fluid chamber directlybetween said gas aperture and said fluid aperture, said fourth floathaving a buoyancy in said fluid to permit said fourth float to rise andfall with the fluid level of the fluid in said fourth chamber, whereinsaid fourth float is free to travel the entire length of said fourthfluid chamber between said pressurized gas aperture and said fluidaperture, wherein the bottom portion of said fourth float sealinglyengages the fluid aperture of said fourth fluid chamber when said fourthfluid chamber is substantially empty, a fourth fluid output conduitincluding a proximal end connected to said second fluid output conduitbetween said fluid aperture of said fourth fluid chamber and said fourthcheck valve and a distal end connected to a fourth storage chamber, saidfourth fluid output conduit including at least a sixth check valve. 40.The duplex well pumping system of claim 39, wherein said first fluidoutput conduit and said second fluid output conduit are the same singlefluid conduit, said single fluid conduit including a “T” connector toconnect the distal end of said single fluid conduit with said firststorage chamber and said second storage chamber, such that said firstand second storage chambers are connected to said single fluid conduitin parallel, wherein said single fluid conduit includes a seventh checkvalve located between said “T” connector and said first storage chamberand wherein said single fluid conduit additionally includes an eighthcheck valve located between said “T” connector and said second storagechamber.
 41. The duplex well pumping system of claim 40, wherein saidcontroller means cycles said valves periodically based on a signal froma timer.
 42. The duplex well pumping system of claim 40, wherein saidcontroller means cycles said valves periodically based on a signal froma flow rate sensor.
 43. The duplex well pumping system of claim 40,wherein said controller means cycles said valves periodically based on asignal from a magnetic sensor.
 44. The duplex well pumping system ofclaim 40, wherein said control unit additionally including a thirdvalve, in communication with said first and second exhaust ports, saidfirst and second exhaust ports additionally in communication with eachother through the connection to said third valve, said third valveoperable between a first “open” position and a second “closed” position,wherein said controller means periodically turns both said first valveand said second valve to the off position and closes said third valve topermit said first air line and said second air line to vent to eachother through said first and second exhaut ports, and wherein saidcontroller opens said third valve during a pumping cycle to permitexhaust from one of said first and second air lines to be vented throughone of said corresponding first and second exhaust ports.
 45. A methodfor pumping a fluid from a well to a storage chamber, comprising thesteps of: (a) providing at least a well pump comprising, at least afirst fluid pumping stage located below the fluid level in the well,said first fluid pumping stage comprising, a first fluid chamber, saidfirst fluid chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion and anintermediate portion located between said top and bottom portions, saidtop portion including a compressed gas aperture, said bottom portionincluding a fluid aperture, a first intake conduit including a proximalend and a distal end, said proximal end open to receive fluid from thewell, said distal end connected to the fluid aperture of said firstfluid chamber, said first fluid intake conduit including a first checkvalve disposed in said conduit between said proximal end and said distalend of said first fluid intake conduit, a first float disposed in saidfirst chamber directly between said gas aperture and said fluidaperture, said float having a buoyancy in said fluid to permit saidfirst float to rise and fall with the fluid level of the fluid in saidfirst chamber, wherein said first float is free to travel the entirelength of said first fluid chamber between said pressurized gas apertureand said fluid aperture, wherein the bottom portion of said first floatsealingly engages the fluid aperture of said first fluid chamber whensaid first fluid chamber is substantially empty, and a first fluidoutput conduit including a proximal end connected to said first fluidintake conduit between said fluid aperture of said first fluid chamberand said first check valve and a distal end connected to a first storagechamber, said first fluid output conduit including at least a secondcheck valve, (b) filling said first fluid pumping stage with fluidthrough said first fluid intake conduit under natural well pressure, andventing said first fluid pumping stage to atmosphere while filling, (c)providing a compressed gas to said first fluid chamber through a firstcompressed gas line connected to said gas aperture of said first fluidchamber, whereby said fluid is driven out of said first fluid chamber,into said first fluid output conduit by said compressed gas, (d) sealingsaid fluid aperture of said first fluid chamber with the bottom portionof said float when said first fluid chamber is substantially empty, andwhile compressed gas is being provided to said first fluid chamber afterstep (c), (e) turning off said compressed gas to said first fluidchamber after step (d), (f) repeating steps (b) through (e).
 46. Themethod of claim 45, wherein said providing step includes providing awell pump additionally comprising, at least a second fluid pumping stagelocated above said first pumping stage in the well, said second fluidpumping stage comprising, a second fluid chamber, said second fluidchamber having a top portion, a bottom portion and an intermediateportion located between said top and bottom portions, said top portionincluding a compressed gas aperture, said bottom portion including afluid aperture in fluid communication with said first fluid outputconduit, above said second check valve, a second float disposed in saidsecond chamber directly between said gas aperture and said fluidaperture, said second float having a buoyancy in said fluid to permitsaid second float to rise and fall with the fluid level of the fluid insaid second chamber, wherein said second float is free to travel theentire length of said second fluid chamber between said pressurized gasaperture and said fluid aperture, wherein the bottom portion of saidsecond float sealingly engages the fluid aperture of said second fluidchamber when said second fluid chamber is substantially empty, and asecond fluid output conduit including a proximal end connected to saidfirst fluid output conduit between said fluid aperture of said secondfluid chamber and said second check valve and a distal end connected toa second storage chamber, said second fluid output conduit including atleast a third check valve, said method additionally comprising the stepsof: (f) providing a compressed gas to said second fluid chamber througha second compressed gas line connected to said gas aperture of saidsecond fluid chamber, before step (e), whereby said fluid is driven outof said second fluid chamber, into said second fluid output conduit bysaid compressed gas, (g) sealing said fluid aperture of said secondfluid chamber with the bottom portion of said second float when saidsecond fluid chamber is substantially empty, and while compressed gas isbeing provided to said second fluid chamber after step (f), (h) turningoff said compressed gas to said second fluid chamber after step (g), (i)after step (h) repeating steps (b) through (d) (j) after step (d),repeating steps (f)-(i).
 47. The method of claim 46, additionallycomprising the steps of: (j) venting said second compressed gas line tosaid first compressed gas line to substantially equalize the pressure insaid gas lines, after step (h) and before step (b), (k) venting saidfirst compressed gas line to said second compressed gas line tosubstantially equalize the pressure in said gas lines, after step (d)and before step (f).
 48. The method of claim 45, wherein said compressedgas is provided to said first compressed gas line on the basis of time.49. The method of claim 45, wherein said compressed gas is provided tosaid first compressed gas line based on the receipt of a signal from amagnetic sensor provided in connection with said first pumping stage.50. The method of claim 45, wherein said providing step (b) providessaid compressed gas to said first compressed gas line and said turningoff step (h) turns off the compressed gas to said second gas line, basedon an indication of a reduced gas flow exiting the first compressed gasline, distal from said first pumping stage, at a time when compressedgas is being provided to said second compressed gas line.